Mekong Delta Photography Workshop
December 4th - 12th 2027
From Saigon’s backstreets and Phan Thiet’s fishing coast to flower growers preparing for Tết, brick kilns and the waterways of the Mekong Delta, photograph a lesser-seen side of Southern Vietnam.
8 Places Left
Southern Vietnam comes alive in the weeks before Tết, and this workshop is timed to photograph it at exactly that moment. We’ll shoot flower growers preparing for the new year, fishing markets at sunrise, brick kilns, traditional workshops and the streets of Saigon before heading deeper into the Mekong Delta.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam
Welcome to Southern Vietnam! Arrive in Saigon and transfer to our hotel in the city.
The rest of the day is free to settle in and recover from your journey.
In the evening, we meet for a group welcome dinner and review the workshop plans.
Day 2: Saigon
An early start as we explore Saigon on foot, photographing the morning routines of the city’s residents.
We spend the day moving through local neighbourhoods, alleyways and markets away from the main tourist areas.
In the afternoon, we head to Cholon for street photography around Saigon’s Chinatown.
Day 3: Tay Ninh
Today we leave Saigon and head northwest to Tay Ninh, where we spend the day photographing some of the region’s most photogenic traditional crafts.
We start in a rice paper village, photographing the making and drying process.
From there, we continue to local salt workshops and pottery makers, focusing on the people, patterns, textures and details that make these places so interesting to shoot.
Day 4: Phan Thiet
This morning we drive to the coastal town of Phan Thiet.
After lunch, we photograph traditional fish sauce production inside local family-run workshops.
We work around the large vats and production areas, photographing the workers as they prepare and produce the fish sauce.
Day 5: Phan Thiet to Long An
We start before sunrise at Phan Thiet’s fish market, where the overnight catch is brought ashore.
We photograph fishermen, baskets of fish, boats and the activity unfolding along the beach.
If conditions allow, we will also spend some time photographing life in a nearby village.
We continue south towards Long An and the Mekong Delta.
Day 6: Water Lilies & Brick Kilns
An early start as we photograph farmers working among the water lilies in the Mekong Delta.
There will also be an opportunity to use drones to photograph the patterns of the lilies and waterways from above.
Around midday, we head to Vinh Long’s traditional brick kilns to photograph the workers moving bricks through the kilns.
In the late afternoon, we continue to Sa Dec for the night.
Day 7: Sa Dec
We begin the morning among Sa Dec’s flower farms, photographing growers preparing flowers ahead of Tết.
We then head into Sa Dec Market for candid street photography.
After lunch, we make our way south towards Can Tho.
In the afternoon, we photograph Som Rong Pagoda before continuing to our hotel.
Day 8: Can Tho
We head out before sunrise by boat to photograph Can Tho’s floating market.
We spend the morning photographing boats, traders and everyday life along the Mekong’s waterways.
After breakfast, we head to a local temple to photograph the architecture, details and morning activity around the complex.
The afternoon is set aside for an editing and image review session at the hotel.
Day 9: Vi Thanh & Saigon
Another early start as we drive to Vi Thanh Market for our final morning of photography.
We photograph the busy market as vendors arrive, trade and prepare for the day.
After breakfast, we begin the drive back to Saigon.
The workshop finishes in Saigon in the afternoon, with airport transfers available for evening flights.
Pricing
Total price: $5,500 $5,250 USD
Payable today: $1,000 deposit to secure your spot
Remainder payable: 5 x monthly installments
Number of participants: 8
“This workshop exceeded my expectations. More than teaching camera techniques, it challenged the way I think and see as a photographer. The guidance was practical, honest, and easy to apply in the field, and I came away with a much clearer vision of the type of photographer I want to become. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve not just their images, but the way they tell stories through photography.”
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8 nights of accommodation in carefully selected 4* & 5* hotels, twin sharing, with single occupancy available on request.
All on-ground transportation, including a private minibus.
All meals, non-alcoholic drinks with meals, and bottled water throughout the trip.
Snacks for the road to keep you fueled during long shooting days.
All entrance fees and gratuities for locals when photographing them.
A dedicated local guide and fixer for the entire journey.
Editing workshops with Jord, covering advanced post-processing techniques.
Photography lessons in the field, focused on storytelling, composition, and technique.
Photo review sessions to refine your work and elevate your creative vision.
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Your flights to and from Vietnam
Travel insurance
Visa cost
Alcohol
Personal expenses
FAQs
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All workshops are open to photographers of every skill level, from complete beginners to experienced shooters. Groups are limited to just 8 participants, so there’s plenty of time to work with everyone individually, whether you’re learning the basics, trying to refine your approach, or looking for more advanced guidance.
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The workshop starts and finishes in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Please arrive no later than December 4th. Your hotel in HCMC that night is included in the workshop price, giving you time to settle in before we begin the following morning.
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This trip is limited to 8 participants, keeping the group small and personal so everyone gets plenty of shooting time and guidance.
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Absolutely. Many guests join solo. You’ll share a twin room with another participant unless you’d prefer a single room (available for an additional supplement).
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You’ll need a camera and a selection of lenses covering roughly 16-200mm, giving you plenty of flexibility for landscapes, street photography, portraits and details.
A drone is also highly recommended.
You’ll also need a laptop or tablet for editing sessions during the workshop.
A full recommended gear list will be sent before the trip.
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Some passport holders are eligible for visa exemption. Click here to find out if you qualify.
If your country is not on the list, you will need to apply for visa. Please reach out if you need help with this.
For more information on visas, click here.
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Yes - comprehensive travel insurance is required for all participants. It should include medical coverage and trip cancellation, just in case of unexpected events.
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June marks the start of summer in northern Vietnam, with warm days, humid air, and dramatic afternoon light. You can expect temperatures around 25-33°C, with occasional short rain showers.
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A $1,000 deposit secures your spot and is non-refundable. The remaining balance can be paid in instalments.
For more info, take a look at the full refund policy here →
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Once your deposit is paid, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the details you need, including packing lists, gear suggestions, and arrival information.
A WhatsApp group will also be created about a month before the trip so everyone can connect, ask questions, and get updates before we set off.
“Both Jord and Mike, our guide in Vietnam, created an incredible workshop experience. The cultural sights and scenes of local life we encountered each day were amazing. Jord’s advice throughout the trip made a significant difference in my photography, particularly in my composition and editing skills. There were nonstop laughs and great moments with Jord, Mike, and the whole group. I can’t wait to do another workshop with Jord in the future!”
Hey, I’m Jord
I’m a full-time travel and street photographer from the UK and have spent the last nine years exploring Asia with my camera.
Vietnam has become one of my favourite places to photograph. I’ve returned several times over the past few years, drawn to the mix of strong visual subjects, incredibly welcoming people and the sheer variety you can find from one region to the next.
This trip takes us south, through Saigon and into the Mekong Delta in the lead-up to Tết. I’ll be sharing how I approach street, cultural and documentary photography along the way, with plenty of time for one-to-one guidance in the field.
I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.